Learn “Turf Speak”

Learn the lingo and understand everything you need to know about artificial grass, related tools, and accessories. Our library of Turf Terminology is an in-depth resource full of exciting terms with even more exciting definitions that will leave you hungry for more! Synthetic Grass Warehouse has your back when it comes to all things turf. Read below and let us know which term is your favorite! Ours is Non-Galvanized Nail.

Turf Terminology

A

Adhesive:

Water-based products used to bond synthetic turf seams and inserts and, at times, synthetic turf to the base. Synthetic turf adhesives are made of urethane and/or epoxy.

B

Backing:

Materials that make up the back of the turf and also secure the fiber tufts.

C

Color:

Various color combinations that may be utilized to match the natural appearance of grass within certain regions. Deep green colors are typically chosen for climates where grass stays green all year. Lighter green colors are paired with brown thatch and may be chosen for dry drought-prone climates.

Compaction:

An increase in the density of something. Field base materials should be thoroughly compacted to prevent any significant settlement across the area where the synthetic turf will be placed.

Crumb Rubber:

Derived from recycled scrap car and truck tires, crumb rubber is metal-free and falls into two different categories: Ambient and Cryogenic.

D

Denier:

A unit of linear mass density of fibers.

Density:

Mass per unit volume or the amount of pile fiber in the turf and the closeness of the tufts.

Drainage:

Designed to carry away water that percolates through the turf.

Durability:

The ability to endure, relates to the resistance of the synthetic turf system and the environment.

Durafill:

Acrylic coated sand that is used as an infill for synthetic turf and also helps moderate the temperature of the synthetic turf. Sold exclusively through Synthetic Grass Warehouse.

E

Extrusion:

The process of transforming liquid plastic into individual solid fibers by pushing the liquid plastic through a fixed cross sectional profile that is designed to form each individual blade of turf. For example: A turf can be extruded with a ‘W’ shaped profile or ‘U’ shaped profile.

F

Face Weight:

The weight of fibers within the product, not including the weight of the backing. The general measurement is weighed in ounces per square yard. Greater face weight means denser product. SGW products range between 50 and 100 ounces.

Fall Zone Safety Rating:

Meets the standards defined by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Guidelines to particular heights or Head Impact Collision (HIC).

Fiber/Filament:

Refers to the individual blade of grass.

G

Galvanized Nail:

A special type of nail used in construction which is coated with zinc to form a protective barrier in order to prevent oxidation or rusting.

Gauge:

The distance between stitch rows. Depending on the product’s weight, a ½ inch gauge or less is optimal.

I

Infill:

The sand or rubber used on top of turf between fibers for ballast and cushion.

L

Luster:

The state or quality of shining by light reflection.

M

Memory:

The tendency for a material to return to a former state after a constraint has been removed.

Monofilament:

A type of thread.

N

Non-Galvanized Nail:

Nail that is not coated with a protective zinc layer and is often used to secure turf.

Nylon:

Resilient fiber that absorbs three percent of its body weight.

P

Perforations:

Series of holes in backing providing drainage for the turf.

Permeable:

That which can be permeated or penetrated by liquids or gas.

Pile Height:

The measurement of fiber length.

Polyethylene:

Softest of plastics and used in most face yarns.

Polymer:

Large chemical molecules from which synthetic fibers, infill and back systems are made.

Polypropylene:

A more coarse plastic and is used in thatch yarn or sand-filled putting greens.

Polyurethane:

Used as a coating on backing to lock in fibers.

Powerbroom:

The tool that brushes up turf to create a new or refreshed appearance; prevents the turf from flattening.

S

Seam:

Where two panels of artificial grass are put together.

Silica Sand:

Broken down quartz granules or minerals or rocks measuring between one-sixteenth and two millimeters in diameter. It is one of the most common varieties of sand found in the non-tropical areas of the world.

Square Foot:

A system of units used to measure areas.

Stitch:

A loop of thread or yarn resulting from a single pass or movement of a needle.

Stich Rate:

The number of stitches per row.

Synthetic:

Man-made, not found in the naturally occurring environment.

T

Thatch:

Textured yarn used with different colors that is situated below the face yarn to enhance recovery.

Total Weight:

The measurement of the entire product in ounces per square yard, which includes face weight and the backing. SGW products range between 75-130 ounces.

Tufted:

Term used to describe the process of manufacturing turf by the insertion of tufts through a backing fabric, creating a pile surface of cute and/or loop ends.

Tuft Bind:

The force that is required to pull a tufted blade out of the backing.

Z

Zeolite Max:

A non-toxic negatively charged zeolite material that comes in a granule form. It neutralizes odors caused by ammonia and requires a simple one-time application on top of your turf.